A Love I Shouldn't Feel
Chapter 153: Family and Influence ( 153 )

Chapter 153: Family and Influence ( 153 )

As Keiko stepped inside and slipped off her shoes, she glanced around the familiar entrance hall, a gentle smile on her face.

"Where’s Father?" she asked Hanako softly.

Before Hanako could answer, a booming voice echoed from the living room.

"I’m here!"

Keiko giggled, already knowing that tone.

"Of course you are~," she muttered under her breath with a warm smile, then quickly made her way toward the living room.

Kazuma followed behind, quiet and composed, the gift bag still in his hand.

Inside, Kitayama glanced up from his newspaper just in time to see Keiko step through the doorway.

"Hmph. You’re late."

Keiko teased as she knelt beside the low table, her expression playful.

"We didn’t even say we’d arrive today, Father~."

Kitayama gave a short grunt, folding his paper and setting it aside.

"Still late," he repeated simply, his tone calm but carrying the weight of someone used to authority.

Hanako entered behind them, shaking her head with a soft, amused laugh.

Once everyone was seated around the low table, the aroma of steaming tea filled the air. Kitayama leaned back slightly, arms folded, the look on his face steady—calm but hinting at underlying seriousness.

"The next two months will be busy," he said evenly.

"The Fujiwara Group is hosting a large executive dinner event."

He cast a glance toward Keiko, then Kazuma.

"I was invited."

A brief pause.

"But you know I don’t like attending these big gatherings anymore."

Hanako quietly sipped her tea, her gaze resting softly on her husband—it was a subtle show of attentiveness and understanding.

Kitayama continued, his voice steady and deliberate.

"And by then..."

He looked at Keiko, who instinctively placed a hand over her belly.

"...our daughter’s belly will be more noticeable."

A faint, dry grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Sending Kazuma alone might work... but that’ll just make our girl here jealous and pout every day."

He gave a small, knowing glance toward Hanako, who let out a soft sigh.

"I don’t pout~," Keiko muttered with a gentle smile, cheeks warm with affection and a hint of mischief.

Kitayama snorted softly, clearly unimpressed.

"Sending Kenji and Hitomi is another option..."

His tone shifted slightly—more guarded.

"But that comes with its own risks."

He paused, voice dropping just enough to suggest an unspoken warning.

"If Satoshi is there... that becomes a problem."

The room fell into brief silence.

Kitayama poured himself another cup of tea, eyes narrowing slightly in thought.

"If we send Kenji and Hitomi as representatives of the Takahashi Group..."

He paused, letting the words settle.

"...Satoshi will recognize their names. Faces. He’ll figure it out."

His voice dropped, firm.

"And once he knows who they are... he’ll know what family he’s dealing with."

Kazuma and Hanako exchanged a silent glance.

Kitayama gave a quiet snort, shaking his head.

"That man..." he muttered.

"He’ll change the moment he realizes our standing."

He tapped the side of his teacup, voice edged with disdain.

"He’ll start talking differently. Acting polite. Suddenly full of praise, favors, compliments..."

He didn’t hide the disgust in his tone.

"He’s the kind who bends when he smells money or power. Not because he respects it, but because he wants to use it."

The air in the room grew still.

"And once he sees a connection to us... he’ll try everything to climb higher through it."

Kitayama set his cup down gently, eyes shifting to Kazuma.

"So, Kazuma..."

His tone was final, but not harsh.

"You’ll attend this event as the Takahashi Group’s representative."

Kazuma nodded once, calmly.

"Understood."

Kitayama then turned to Keiko, his gaze softening.

"I don’t know if you plan to join him... but know this—"

He leaned back a little.

"Even with the private jet, the travel, the people, the attention... you’ll be exhausted, Keiko."

Keiko puffed her cheeks and looked down.

"Mm... I know..." she muttered with a small pout.

Hanako smiled gently, reaching over to stroke her daughter’s hand.

"Your health comes first."

"I’ll be fine," Keiko said, but her voice was softer now.

"It’s just... I don’t like him going alone."

Kazuma gave her a quiet, reassuring glance.

"Then we’ll decide closer to the date. If you’re tired, you rest. If you feel well, you come with me."

Kitayama grunted in agreement.

"Fair enough."

Kitayama suddenly straightened in his seat, eyes lighting up with a spark of spontaneous energy.

"Hanako!"

"Yes, dear~" she replied without even turning.

"Call Kyouko! Bring Haruki too! We’re having drinks tonight!"

Hanako let out a soft chuckle as she stood.

"I’ll try calling her... but don’t expect her son-in-law to join us. What if he has work tomorrow?"

Kitayama clicked his tongue and tapped the table, clearly irritated.

"Damn... if only I didn’t care about keeping a low profile, I’d just call Yamashita myself and tell him to give Haruki-kun a day off."

He grumbled under his breath.

"Cousin or not, the old man owes me more than a few favors."

Still frowning, he tapped the table again.

"Hanako! Bring me my phone!"

Hanako raised an eyebrow but smiled, walking off calmly.

"Yes, yes~ you big impatient child."

Out on the lush green golf course, the sun was just beginning to dip low, casting golden shadows across the fairway.

Yamashita was mid-swing, enjoying the calm afternoon, when his assistant approached with a phone in hand.

"Sir, you have a call."

"Hmm?" Yamashita raised an eyebrow and took the phone.

He glanced at the screen.

Then grinned.

"Ah... what does he want now?"

He answered.

"Oi, Kitayama! What’s with the call?"

"You rarely ring me unless something’s burning down!"

He chuckled.

"You should hang out with me more, old man. Come out and play golf sometime! You’re too serious these days."

The sound of golf carts and distant laughter echoed behind him as he held the phone loosely to his ear.

Yamashita leaned against his golf cart, squinting slightly as he listened.

"Hmm? Haruki? Which Haruki?"

A pause. Then his eyes widened slightly.

"Ah—Nakagawa Haruki?"

He laughed.

"Day off? That guy’s schedule is flexible. He can take time off whenever he wants. He’s one of my most trusted guys."

He raised an eyebrow.

"But why are you calling me about him?"

A beat of silence. Then—

"Hah!?"

"Your granddaughter is married to him?"

Yamashita let out a long laugh, shaking his head.

"Wow. What a small world."

He looked out over the green, still chuckling.

"No wonder that boy’s always so damn disciplined. Didn’t know he was married into your clan."

( End Of Chapter )

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